The American Turkish Society Awarded Vehbi Koç Foundation for Excellence in Philanthropy
The American Turkish Society, founded in 1949, presented the award for Excellence in Philanthropy, which recognizes pioneering individuals and organizations for their contributions to the lives of people in their respective fields, to the Vehbi Koç Foundation that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Society’s Annual Gala in New York City brought together Turkish and American diplomats, senior representatives from the public and private sectors, artists, scientists and opinion leaders. Peggy Rockefeller Dulany, the Gala Chair and founder of Synergos, a global organization helping solve complex issues around the world by advancing bridging leadership, presented the award to Semahat Arsel, the Chair ofVehbi Koç Foundation. At the award ceremony on November 1, 2019,Semahat Arsel was accompanied by Erdal Yıldırım, General Manager of Vehbi Koç Foundation, Esra Koç, daughter of the late Mustafa Koç, and Ümit Taftalı and Lawrence M. Kaye, co-chairs of the American Turkish Society.
“Vehbi Koç Foundation is a role model for excellence in philanthropy”
In a statement, The American Turkish Society noted that the Vehbi Koç Foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, “Vehbi Koç Foundation has a been a role model for excellence in philanthropy in Turkey since 1969. As a leader in education, healthcare and culture, the Foundation has built and supported numerous institutions such as libraries, schools, arts and research centers, and hospitals. The Foundation has also been a pioneer in granting educational scholarships to talented young people with limited financial means. The philanthropic endeavors of the Foundationhave provided significant and lasting contributions to the development of the Turkish society, and more importantly, set a standard for philanthropy in Turkey.”
Semahat Arsel: “Vehbi Koç worked relentlessly for 20 years to build this system”
Semahat Arsel, the Chair of Vehbi Koç Foundation, gave a speech at the gala, where a short documentary dedicated to the 50thanniversary of the Foundation was shown. “We are celebrating two important anniversaries this evening. It is the 70thbirthday of the American Turkish Society, and the 50thanniversary of the Vehbi Koç Foundation,” said Semahat Arsel. “My father Vehbi Koç believed in ‘giving back some of what your country gave to you’. He was introduced to a more advanced system of philanthropy when he visited the US in 1946. He saw the hospitals, universities and museums that large successful industrial corporations such as Carnegie, Ford and Rockefeller opened.Upon his return, he realized that a legal framework that encouraged the establishment of such foundations was lacking in Turkey. He worked relentlessly for 20 years to build this system. He founded the Vehbi Koç Foundation in 1969, and donated 10 percent of Koç Holding shares. The Vehbi Koç Foundation focuses its operations on three key fields: Education, Healthcare and Culture. As the second generation of the Koç Family, we worked hard to elevate Vehbi Koç Foundation to its present position. I take great pride in seeing that the third generation of our family shares the same responsibility. On behalf of the Koç Family and the Vehbi Koç Foundation, I would like to thank the Board of Directors of The American Turkish Society. I also congratulate the Society on its 70thanniversary. Given the long friendship of our families, accepting this award from Peggy Rockefeller Dulany is especially meaningful to me.”
https://www.americanturkishsociety.org/
